A joint venture has been announced between Hong Kong’s The Caravel Group and Denmark’s Celsius Tankers to co-own and operate a new fleet of high-specification LNG bunkering vessels. This partnership expands on their previous collaboration in ship management and newbuilding supervision.
A New Venture for LNG Bunkering
The new joint venture will focus on the growing demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel. Celsius Tankers will be in charge of the commercial strategy, while The Caravel Group will provide capital and operational expertise. This initiative aims to address the urgent need for modern and compliant bunkering infrastructure as more ships adopt LNG dual-fuel propulsion.
Fleet Expansion and Technology
The venture has placed a firm order for two 20,000 CBM LNG bunker vessels. These new ships will be built by China Merchants Industry Holdings Co. Ltd. and China Merchants Heavy Industry Jiangsu Co. Ltd., with an expected delivery in the third and fourth quarters of 2027. The vessels will be built at the same shipyard where Celsius is already constructing other LNG carriers, ensuring consistent quality.
The vessels will feature advanced technology, including:
- A high-efficiency sub-cooler system.
- Dual-fuel propulsion for greater fuel flexibility.
- Advanced maneuverability with a retractable bow azimuth thruster.
- The ability to handle both LNG bunkering and small-scale LNG trading.
- Readiness for blending with bio-LNG to meet future environmental regulations.
Meeting Industry and Environmental Standards
These new ships are designed to meet stringent technical and environmental standards, including compliance with Singapore MPA regulations and FuelEU Maritime requirements. Their advanced capabilities will help support the global fleet of LNG-powered ships and cater to the increasing demand for efficient bunkering solutions. The technical management and construction oversight will be handled by Celsius Tech Limited, a joint venture between Celsius and Fleet Management Limited, a subsidiary of The Caravel Group, ensuring high standards of safety and technical excellence.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Hong Kong Maritime Hub
